Bayern Munich says it has hired Pep Guardiola as its new coach starting next season and continuing through 2015-16.

Guardiola, the former Barcelona star who later won 14 titles in four seasons as the club’s manager before taking a year off to recharge, will be replacing Jupp Heynckes, who is retiring at the end of the season.

Pep Guardiola will be in command of Bayern Munich starting with the 2013-14 season. (AP Photo)

"We are very pleased that we managed to win the football expert Pep Guardiola for Bayern Muinich although he had been contacted and sought by many famous clubs," Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said. "Pep Guardiola is one of the most successful coaches in the world and we are certain that he can give a lot of luster not only to Bayern but also to German football."

The move comes as a bit of a surprise, given Guardiola’s stated wishes of coaching in England. The comments in retrospect could have been his way of getting leverage for a better deal.

Said Guardiola to The Sun in the U.K. of that desire: “I have always found English football very fascinating. I want to feel the supporters, the environment, the media, the style of the players and everything.

“The support of the home team is amazing. In Italy, Latin people will support you when you are playing well and when you lose, they kill you.

“In England, I’m always surprised that people always support everything and that is nice. That’s why, maybe, I hope to have the challenge or the opportunity to train there.”

Guardiola will be taking a Bayern club currently dominating the Bundesliga standings with 42 points. Bayer Leverkusen is in second with 33 points. It also has played in two of the last three Champions League finals.

"A great compliment to Bayern that they have landed this coup," said Hans-Joachim Watzke, the managing director of Borussia Dortmund.